Canonsburg approves contract for 20 employees

Canonsburg Borough council Feb. 11 gave final approval to a three-year contract with its clerical, sewer plant and public works employees.

The new contract calls for a 70-cent per hour raise in 2013; 75-cent raise in 2014 and an 80-cent per hour raise in 2015.

In addition, the contract, between Canonsburg Borough and Teamsters Local 205, calls for a switch in health care providers for the 20 employees from Highmark to UPMC. The change is expected to save the borough approximately $300,000, according to borough manager Terry Hazlett.

There also is a change in hiring steps so that new hires will make 75 percent of the hourly rate, be paid 85 percent in the second year and 90 percent in the third year with the employee making 100 percent of the job classification rate in the fourth year.

There also will be a pension plan contribution with employees contributing 1.5 percent of their gross wages this year, 1.75 in the second year and 2 percent in the third year of the contract.

Another change in the contract is to allow employees to reside anywhere within 10 air miles of the borough building.

The contract was approved by the union last month.

In other business, council agreed to have Jordan Tax Service to initiate sheriff’s sale proceedings to collect delinquent garbage bills.

Canonsburg stipulates that residents and businesses must pay a quarterly garbage bill, whether or not a structure is occupied.

According to Hazlett, about 60 of 3,800 people in the borough owe on their garbage bills, and some of those “haven’t paid for years.” The delinquencies total about $80,000, he said.

Council also approved a retirement request from Hazlett, who is in his 11th year in the position.

The vacant position will now be advertised with councilmen Rich Russo, Fran Coleman and Joe McGarry named to the manager search committee. Michael Foreman, local government policy specialist for the state Department of Community and Economic Development, will assist in the hiring process.